The Featured Speaker of the
2008 Fort Atkinson Regional Science Fair is
Richard Wanie

Richard Wanie was born in Green Bay, WI. He grew up in Horicon where his father was a Rough Fish Manager and Conservation Warden. Upon graduation from Horican High School, Wanie attended Central State College (now called University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point), graduating with a BS degree in Biology and Natural Resources. He then served on active duty in the U.S. Army for two years. Discharged in 1960, he taught science, biology, and natural resources in the Fort Atkinson school system for 36 years. Wanie obtained an M.S. degree in biology from the University of Michigan in 1965. Now retired, he still is an avid hunter and fisherman. Calling upon these out-of-door experiences, he has written a bi-weekly column called "Outdoors Calling" for the Daily Jefferson County Union for 17 years.

Wanie and his wife Carol continue to live in Fort Atkinson. They have three grown children and nine grandchildren. His son Mathew followed in his father's footsteps, presently teaching biology and chemistry at West Bend West High School in West Bend, WI.